Introduction to computer

&
CLASSIFICATION AND GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS

2013

Naseem Abbas Shaikh

Naseem Abbas Sheikh 8/28/2013

Introduction to computer

Definition of Computer; . The computer is electronic machine which takes data through input device, process on it and gives result on out put devices.

Computers Have Two Main Parts; 1. Computer Hardware 2. Computer Software

What is Computer Hardware? 1. Computer Hardware is the physical part of the computer system, the machinery and equipment. 2. Parts of the computer you can see and touch..

Examples of Computer hardware 1. Monitor (T.V. like screen used to show pictures and words.) 2. CPU (Central Processing Unit this is where most of the computers calculations take
place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computing system.)

3. Keyboard (This device is used to type information into the computer and contains
the numbers 0-9.)

4. Mouse: a small device, which you move across the top of the desk to move the
pointer or cursor on the screen.

5. Printer: used to make a paper copy of the information into the computer.

What is Computer Software? Computer Softwares are programs that tell the computer what to do. Examples; 1. Microsoft Word-word processing program 2. Microsoft PowerPoint-presentation program 3. Microsoft Excel-work book program used to track, calculate, and analyze numeric data.

Computer Input Devices

And output devices
Computer Input Devices It is Computer Devices that input information in the computer. Examples; Mouse Scanner Web cam Key Board

Computer Output Devices;

It is Computer Devices that output information from the computer. Examples Monitor Printer

Speakers

Storage Devices
Storage Devices are the data storage devices that are used in the computers to store the data. Example; 1. 2. 3. 4. USB Memory cards Hard disk Compact Discs

C T

omputer

Memory;

Computer memory is any physical device capable of storing information temporarily or permanently. ypes of memory;

1)Volatile Memory 2)Non-Volatile Memory

1. Volatile memory: You will lost all of your data when your electricity go out. Ram is volatile memory. When you shutdown your computer. Info that haven't saved is destroyed.

2.Nonvolatile memory: All data that stored in this type of memory will retain when you shutdown your computer. Rom is of type nonvolatile memory

CLASSIFICATION AND GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS

Digital Computers; Use digits specially binary digits (0, 1) to represent data. Example; Personal computers such as Laptops and Desktops, etc. Analog Computers; Use physical magnitudes as voltage and pressure instead of digits. Examples: Thermometers, voltmeters, speed measuring meters, etc Hybrid Computers; Combination of both the analogue and digital computers Examples:

A computer that maintain temperature in a burner of a production plant

Computer

Special purpose computers

General purpose computers

Special purpose computers; Designed for a special job only Examples: Computers used in digital watches, pocket calculators, point of sales, etc. General Purpose computers; Design to solve wide variety of problems Examples: A personal computer used in an office or at home.

By size

Mainframe

Minicomputers

Microcomputers

Supercomputer

Mainframe computer
A large computer has enormous input, process, output and storage capacities hundreds of terminals connected hundreds of users can work simultaneously

Mini computer
A smaller version of Mainframes.

Microcomputer
A smaller computer Available for only one user at any time The central processing unit is embedded in a single chip microprocessor. Examples: Personal computers; Laptops, desktops.

Super computers;
Focused on performing tasks involving intense numerical calculations such as weather forecasting, fluid dynamics, nuclear simulations, theoretical astrophysics, and complex scientific computations .

The First
1942-1955 Vacuum Tube Heat Burnout Machine language Magnetic core memory Storage Punched cards Tape (1957)

Generation

Vacuum Tube

Characteristics of 1st Generation Computers Computers big and clumsy Electricity consumption is high Electric failure occurred regularly - computers not very reliable Large air conditioners was necessary because the computers generated heat Batch processing

ENIAC - first generation computer 1942-1955

The Second Generation

1955-1964 Transistor
Smaller No warm-up time Less energy Less heat Faster More reliable Assembly language FORTRAN (1954) COBOL(1959) Removable disk pack (1954) Magnetic tape

Storage

Transistor

Programming languages

Used primarily by business, university, government

The Second Generation

second Generation computer

Computers became smaller Generate less heat Electricity consumption lower More reliable and faster Core memory developed Magnetic tapes and disks used First operating systems developed A new processing method was needed.

The Third Generation

1964-1975 Integrated Circuit Electronic circuit on small silicon chip Reliability Compactness Low cost Inexpensive massproduced

1. Computers smaller, faster and more reliable 2. Power consumption lower 3. High-level languages appeared

The Fourth Generation

1975-1989
Integrated circuits, smaller and faster Micro computer series such as IBM and APPLE developed Portable computers developed Great development in data communication Different types of secondary memory with high storage capacity and fast access developed

Microprocessor
General-purpose processor on a chip

Explosive growth
Digital watches Pocket calculators Personal computers Cars Copy machines Television sets

Microprocessor

The Fifth Generation

1989-Present Large capacity of main memory, hard disk, optical disk. Notebook Powerful desktop P.C and workstation Very powerful mainframe systems

Internet World wide web (www) ,multimedia applications Portable computers, more powerful, cheaper ,reliable and easy to use.